Thread: Hacking Spirit Jumping Spider

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Went to a Spirit Halloween Store and saw their Jumping Spider prop and was wondering if I could flip it upside down and mount it to the ceiling and use it to have a ghost "jump" down?

I was going to build something on my own but this seems easier, if I can get it to work. Would be possible to hack it to add a motion activator?

Any help/ ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Here's a link to the product page:
Jumping Spider

Video of it in action:

I don't know about flipping it over, but I'm planning on getting one of these today (crosses fingers) and will be adding a PIR sensor to trigger the prop. I'll post info on how to do that once I get it worked out. Should be easy to do.

It should work with no problem upside down. The "jumping" part is done with springs and it is pulled back into rest position using the power. It already has a built in sensor, so it should be "hackable".

I know Michaels and Amazon both have drop down spiders, probably cheaper, though I'm not sure about hackable.

I'm getting one of these today, too. I already have a microcontroller and relay setup for triggering another prop, I expect it will work with this, too. Will report back later.

I'm picking up a spider tonight at the local Spirit. I'm sure that it could be controlled with one of my PIR-triggered prop controllers, but I think a simple PIR/relay circuit will do the job.

Originally Posted by JBfromBS

It should work with no problem upside down. The "jumping" part is done with springs and it is pulled back into rest position using the power. It already has a built in sensor, so it should be "hackable".

I have to wonder how much the gravity factor has to do with the return. Pulling it up against gravity may be a bit more difficult for the motor.

My plan is to not just have it go off when someone approaches, but to sit and wait until they're close and looking at something nearby. We will have a tour guide that, when a group gets to the graveyard and sees the zombie body on the table, says something like, "Oh no, a spider got to the body! This is too bad..." and people will assume that the spider is just decoration. About twenty seconds later, once everyone is gathered around, it will jump. Heh heh heh.

Went to Spirit over the weekend. Of all of the new props, this one is the coolest. Very good startle effect. I slams up very fast.

My local Spirit isn't even open yet! I'm interested in getting one, but not at retail prices. I'm hoping for a good coupon.